Russian pharmaceutical cosmetics: what you shouldn’t be ashamed to bring from Russia

Not all consumers understand the basic differences between cosmetic and pharmaceutical skin care products. And, by the way, you can use some of these products yourself, at home, carrying out daily care, while others are used only by cosmetologists, conducting professional rejuvenation and care procedures, or even by dermatologists in the treatment of certain diseases.

Such different means...

Raise your hand if you are confused about the skin care products available in the domestic and global market today. Which ones really work? You spend your money and expect that a jar of cream or a tube of serum, toner or gel will help you look younger or solve some skin problems. But they don’t always work or the effect is not as strong as you expect. Why? The thing is that the products are different - these are ordinary cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and even professional therapeutic and preventive compositions.

The difference between cosmeceuticals and cosmetics

It is clear that ordinary cosmetic preparations cannot be called medicines: they do not cure anything, but only mask or minimize external imperfections. The substances of cosmetic products are not able to penetrate into the deep, inner layers of the epidermis, and therefore cannot have a deep effect.

Cosmetics cannot radically influence the condition of the skin in a positive way, significantly rejuvenate it, or eliminate the cause of certain skin problems. The main criterion for the quality of cosmetics is its sterility: that is, the main thing for these products is not to cause harm or cause infection. In this case, we are not even talking about any significant benefits.

Cosmeceuticals behave quite differently. The substances that make up these drugs are designed not only to provide external care, but also to cope with deep skin problems.

If the epidermis suffers from some disease, then, just like ordinary skin, it needs all the beneficial effects: softening, nutrition, moisturizing, restoration. However, conventional cosmetic preparations are not able to provide proper care in this case. In most cases, regular creams simply clog the pores, further exacerbating the problem. That’s when medicinal cosmetics come to the rescue, which simultaneously cares for the skin and heals.

Please note that you cannot buy cosmeceutical products in a regular store. The products are mostly sold in pharmacies; there are also large online departments selling professional cosmetics for salons. In addition, you can purchase products online in specialized stores.

What is the difference?

So what is the big difference between cosmetics and cosmeceuticals, pharmaceutical skin care? The main difference lies in the effectiveness and strength of the ingredients and the mixture of the right active ingredients working together. Correct, safe ones are those that contain the ingredients necessary for the skin in the right composition and in the right concentration. In addition, it is important how deeply and actively the composition penetrates the skin. Depending on your type, conditions of use, requirements for a particular product, the choice will vary greatly. The most common questions people often ask are:

What is the difference between visiting a professional cosmetologist, using his products, and cosmeceuticals and cosmetics?
Is there a difference, or is it just a publicity stunt, a new word, beautiful packaging and beautiful pictures?
Can you achieve real results with conventional creams, or will the effect be better with professional cosmeceuticals?

Too often, consumers fall prey to glamorous marketing and advertising claims and spend a lot of money on expensive drugstore brands and cheaper cosmetics that, unfortunately, hardly work. On the other hand, products classified as professional and cosmeceuticals can sometimes be too harsh for the skin. Therefore, you need to choose wisely and exactly what you need.

The best products for problem skin for teenagers

Clean & Clear Advantage Gel Applicator

It has been clinically proven that the gel begins to act within 4 hours after application. Its unique formula, containing ingredients effective in fighting acne, quickly regulates skin oil levels. The gel does not irritate or dry out the skin. After 4 hours, the size and redness of the pimple are significantly reduced.

“SOS” local acne cream with cincidon Propeller Turbo Active

Turbo Active cream should be applied pointwise to problem areas. Light, driving movements of the fingertips. It is advisable to do this in the evening, before going to bed. Can be used throughout the day, as needed. The longer the cream is left in place, the more effective it will be. Remaining cream can be removed with a dry cloth or water.

The complex with Zincidon copes well with the excessive activity of sebaceous secretions. It prevents the increase in the number of harmful bacteria, thereby preventing acne from appearing on the skin. In addition, SOS cream can reduce acne, it dries the skin and reduces irritation.

Teana Cleansing Mask for Acne and Blackheads

The basis of the mask is natural seaweed and minerals. Tea tree oil and willow extract have a powerful complex effect on the skin, with a bright soothing effect. Tea tree oil destroys almost any infection, willow extract ensures that the antiseptic penetrates deep into the skin. Infection has no chance! Myoxinol has a powerful effect on processes in deep tissues, providing a prolonged rejuvenating effect. Attention! The finished alginate mask hardens very quickly, we recommend applying it to the skin immediately.

Sebobalance mask with prebiotic Kora

The mask is designed to improve the condition of oily, combination and problematic skin prone to inflammation, pimples and blackheads. The result is clean, fresh, calm skin with a pleasant matte finish.

INTENSIVE ACTION SEBOREGULATING COMPLEX (BIOSULPHER, ZINC OXIDE, ANTIBACTERIAL ADDITIVE, OATS BETA-GLUCANS, KAOLIN) controls the secretion of the sebaceous glands, has an adsorbent, drying, astringent effect, suppresses the proliferation of bacteria that cause acne, reduces the number of inflamed elements, forms a protective barrier against action of irritating factors, helps to narrow pores, and prevents the appearance of “blackheads”.

NATURAL PREBIOTIC (INULIN, ALPHA-GLUCAN OLIGOSACCHARIDE), isolated from chicory root and sugar beet, restores skin balance by maintaining and strengthening the natural microbiological shield, reduces redness, irritation and flaking of the skin.

AMBER ACID gently cleanses and soothes inflamed and irritated skin. Being a powerful antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals and eliminates the consequences of their negative effects, restores the elasticity of dull skin, enhances cellular respiration, and refreshes the complexion.

CORN OIL, PHYTOEXTRACTS have a stimulating, softening and nourishing effect, enhance the moisture-retaining properties of the skin, gradually make the complexion uniform, and help narrow pores.

ALLANTOIN, NATURAL BETAINE soften the stratum corneum, helping to remove dead cells, prevent clogging of pores, the formation of comedones and inflammatory elements, have an intense moisturizing, soothing effect, and significantly improve the appearance of the skin.

Concentrate for narrowing pores Bioderma Sebium Pore refiner

Excess sebum, stress, smoking, pollution... all these factors are responsible for enlarged and deformed pores. The concentrate has a tightening effect on excess sebum, enlarged and deformed pores. Light texture instantly absorbs into the skin. SEBIUM significantly evens out the skin texture, visually narrows enlarged pores, making them less noticeable.

The product contains a patented Fluid Active complex, which effectively prevents clogging of pores. The cream maintains the quality of sebum, evens out the relief, has an antioxidant effect and creates the effect of velvet skin.

Cosmetics from pharmacies and stores

Most skin care products on the market fall into the category of regular cosmetics. You will find these products at your local pharmacies or shopping centers. They can range in price from cheap to very expensive, but usually contain similar concentrations of ingredients (new drugstore cosmetics to try - read here
). Because all of these formulations should suit most skin types, they do not contain many active ingredients and often contain inactive compounds, fragrances and preservatives. If these creams, gels or serums contain active ingredients, they most likely have several times fewer active ingredients than cosmeceuticals or pharmaceuticals. Manufacturers may claim that their products contain peptides, retinol, vitamin C or antioxidants, but the concentration is so low that it won't actually produce real results that can actually make a difference to your skin over time.

All of them affect only the outermost layer of skin or epidermis.

These products just sit on the surface of your skin and don't penetrate deeper
(we discussed how deep makeup penetrates with experts
here . Think about all the money you've spent over the years on products that just work on the surface of your skin? Money down the drain? Since many consumers self-diagnose their problems by choosing skin care products and trying them at a pharmacy or department store, these products must be safe. This means that large cosmetics companies cannot afford to have a lot of consumers who have problems using very active formulations. After all, a reaction or allergy, an undesirable effect, is possible to the active component. And so that a skin care product from a pharmacy or store can be stored for a long time and smell good, there will be a minimum of really useful components in it for you to get any noticeable effect. Remember, too, that we're not just talking about one really effective ingredient: we're also talking about the right amount of active ingredients working together in the right order. This is what helps the skin, and this is the problem with conventional cosmetics.

Brief overview of pharmaceutical medicinal brands

Good afternoon In this post I would like to give a brief overview of those brands that are medicinal and are available in almost all pharmacies. My own experience pushed me to this. Since I have very sensitive allergic skin, which is also problematic and also photosensitivity. Of course, I went to the pharmacy to buy skincare products, and there were a variety of brands there. It was very difficult to navigate all this, everything seemed to be “pharmacy”, but, nevertheless, everything was different. As a result, I tried a very large number of different products from each brand, which I will discuss below. When creating this post, I wanted to get away from the clichés “good/bad”, “good cosmetics/bad cosmetics”. For me, there are no bad brands, all brands are good; There are brands that suited or didn’t suit me. Since I am convinced that sensitive skin can react in any way to anything at any time,
and, unfortunately, this does not at all depend on whether the cream is new or you have been using it for a long time, whether it is ideal for your girlfriend or mother. Each of us is unique, and each of us has our own very special skin. I hope my post will be useful to someone. So let's get started. All pharmacy cosmetics, in my opinion, can be divided into three large sections:

Medical cosmetics

Dermatology proper
Aesthetics BIOcosmetics
Dermatology proper:

• All products are suitable for sensitive skin • Cosmetics are hypoallergenic • Cosmetics are non-comedogenic

Aesthetics:

• Only some products are suitable for sensitive skin • Products are not hypoallergenic • Cosmetics are non-comedogenic

BIOcosmetics:

• All products are suitable for sensitive skin • Products are not hypoallergenic.

Dermatological medicinal brands include the following: 1. Vichy

(Vichy) – “Health is beautiful” / Country: France.
2. La Roche-Posay
(La Roche-Posay) - “Commitment to dermatology.
Sensitive skin expert” / Country: France. 3. Avene
(Aven) - “For the most sensitive skin” / Country: France.
4. Uriage
(Uriage) - “Active hypoallergenic” / Country: France.
5. Bioderma
(Bioderma) - “Biology in the service of dermatology” / Country: France.
6. Merck
(Merck) - “The health of your skin” / Country: France.
7. Ducray
(Ducray) - “For healthy skin and beautiful hair” / Country: France.

Aesthetic pharmacy brands include: 1. SkinCeuticals

(SkinCuticals) - “advanced skin care backed by science” / Country: USA.
2. Filorga
(Filorga) - “Specialists in the field of mesotherapy” / Country: France.
3. Lierac
(Lierak) - “Expert in dermocosmetics” / Country: France.
4. Galenic
(Galenik) - “Natural source of beauty” / Country: France.
5. Nuxe
(Nux) - “The magic of nature for the beauty of your skin” / Country: France.
6. Phyto
(Phyto) – “Hair ecology” / Country: France.
7. Klorane
(Kloran) - “The power of plants” / Country: France.

Biocosmetics in the pharmacy are represented by: 1. Sanoflore

(Sanoflor) / Country: France.

Vichy

is an active hypoallergenic cosmetic based on Vichy Spa thermal water from the Lucas spring.
Thanks to its unique mineral composition, thermal water soothes the skin and enhances its natural protective properties by activating antioxidant enzymes. Also distinctive features of this brand are highly efficient components and the latest technologies. La Roche-Posay
is a hypoallergenic cosmetics based on La Roche-Posay thermal water, rich in Selenium.
This trace element plays a very important role in maintaining the protective functions of the skin in the fight against free radicals. Due to its mineral composition, thermal water helps maintain the physiological balance of the skin. Having an almost neutral pH, it has an antioxidant, protective and soothing effect, moisturizes, relieves irritation and swelling, and slows down the aging process of the skin. La Roche-Posay thermal water is used with highly effective patented active ingredients, which are the result of the latest research in the field of skin biology. Avene
is a hypoallergenic cosmetics based on Avene thermal water, which has a unique composition that is unique in laboratory conditions.
Rich in silicate and microelements - soothes, softens, protects and cleanses the skin. It is owned by the pharmaceutical group Pierre Fabre. Uriage
is a hypoallergenic cosmetics based on Uriage thermal water.
Uriage thermal water is natural isotonic water. It is in complete osmotic balance with the cells of the epidermis and their natural environment. It has a moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-radical effect. Bioderma
is a hypoallergenic cosmetics developed by the Bioderma Laboratory to solve specific dermatological problems.
Merck
is a hypoallergenic cosmetics developed by Merck Laboratories to solve specific dermatological problems.
Ducray
is a series of dermatological products for the treatment of serious hair and scalp problems. It is owned by the pharmaceutical group Pierre Fabre.

SkinCeuticals

is a brand that is widely used by elite aesthetic clinics and beauty salons.
The range sold in the pharmacy is home care. The SkinCeuticals philosophy is based on three main principles: - Prevent signs of premature aging by neutralizing free radicals that cause oxidation, leading to skin damage. — Protect healthy skin from the harmful effects of UV rays using solar filters. — Correct visible signs of aging to restore a youthful appearance and a fresh complexion. The products contain high concentrations of pure pharmaceutical grade active ingredients combined with natural botanical extracts. Filorga
is a brand that is also widely used by beauty salons.
This is the first French cosmetic line based on the achievements of aesthetic medicine. Lierac
is an active phyto-cosmetics.
This brand harnesses the power of nature to provide a specific solution and precise answer to every skin requirement. From each plant studied, the LIERAC Laboratory selects the most active fraction - the part that contains the highest concentrations of active components: root, leaves, flowers. Galenic
- the main ingredients of Galenic products are made from plant cells, which have much in common with the actions that occur in the cells of the human body.
The active ingredients used are only natural. Textures that combine pleasure and efficiency in use. Nuxe
is a cosmetics based on the combination of rare plants and essential oils.
Nuxe is a combination of the power of nature, high performance and luxurious sensuality. Sanoflore
- belongs to the Bio cosmetics brands. Those. All products contain only 100% natural, environmentally friendly ingredients. Essential oils and floral waters are used in cosmetics. Such products are highly tolerable and suitable for sensitive skin. Without parabens, synthetic dyes, fragrances, aluminum salts, silicone.

Now let's try to understand the ranges in each brand according to the problem. Some brands lack the means to achieve a particular goal. In this case, they will not be presented in the list.

Moisturizing, getting rid of dehydration

1. Vichy - AQUALIA THERMAL line 2. La Roche-Posay - Hydraphase line 3. Avene - Hydrance Optimale line 4. Uriage - AquaPRECIS line 5. Bioderma - Hydrabio line ( Gidrabio) 6. SkinCeuticals - HYDRATING line 7. Lierac - Hydro-Chrono line (HYDRA-CHRONO) 8. Nuxe - Fresh line (Fraîche) 9. Galenic - AQUAPULPE line 10. Sanoflore - moisturizing nectar

Care for dry and very dry skin

1. Vichy - Nutrilogie line 2. La Roche-Posay - Nutritic line 3. Avene - nourishing compensating cream and Cold Crème line 4. Uriage - Suppleance and Hydrolipidique cream 5. Ducray – Ictyane line 6. SkinCeuticals – EMOLLIENCE cream 7. Nuxe – Reve de Miel line 8. Sanoflore – nourishing facial balm

Care for very dry atopic skin of the body

1. Vichy – Nutriextra line and Lipidiose line 2. La Roche-Posay – Lipikar line 3. Avene – Trixera line 4. Uriage – Xémose line 5. Bioderma – line Atoderm

Care and treatment of problem skin with acne

1. Vichy – Normaderm line 2. La Roche-Posay – Effaclar line 3. Avene – Cleanance line 4. Uriage – Hyseac line 5. Bioderma – Sebium line 6. Ducray - Keracnyl line 7. Merck - Exfoliac 8. Galenic - Cauterets line 9. Lierac - Mat-Chrono line (the line is not intended for the treatment of acne, but for skin care , with increased sebum secretion without any significant problems) 10. Nuxe - Aroma-Perfection line (I don’t quite understand how you can use essential oils for oily skin, because they can be comedogenic, Therefore, I treat this line with caution)

Care for skin prone to redness and treatment of rosacea

1. La Roche-Posay - Rosaliac line 2. Bioderm - Sensibio AR cream 3. Avene - Diroseal and Antirougeurs cream 4. Uriage - Roséliane line 5. Lierac - Apezance emulsion (Apaisanse) (in the pharmacy this product is offered as against rosacea at any age, and on the manufacturer’s website this line is listed as anti-aging care for sensitive skin)

Care for hypersensitive skin

1. La Roche-Posay - Toleriane line 2. Avene - cream for hypersensitive skin 3. Bioderma - Sensibio line 4. Uriage - Tolederm line

Products for combating age spots

1. Merck – Iklen line 2. Uriage – Depiderm line 3. Lierac – Active Pigment Spot Correction kit

My classification does not include anti-aging products, personal care products, hair care and body contouring products. Otherwise the post would be endless. If there is interest, then in the future I can tell you about them or about any range in more detail. I don’t claim to be 100% true, since the information from the manufacturers’ websites was presented from my point of view, this is my view of the brands presented in the pharmacy. Now some of my personal impressions about them.

As I already said, I can safely say that in 5 years I have tried everything that is sold in the pharmacy.
Of course, from what was suitable for the problem and age. And anti-aging products were tested on our beloved mother. I was looking for the perfect products to care for very sensitive problem skin. It seems to me that the only option for people with the same problems as me is to try, try and try again.
You never know what to expect with sensitive skin.
So some hypoallergenic products are not suitable for me, but some Lierak products are perfect! It turned out that I found my favorites in almost every brand. So let's start from the beginning. Vichy has
my favorite Normaderm line, I love the cleansing gel and toner.
This toner is probably my favorite of all for combination to oily skin. From it I observed the best effect of narrowing pores and smoothing out the skin texture. I like that it has a slightly matte finish without being powdery. I really like Normaderm scrub and Normaderm night. The scrub is good in all respects: price, quality, result. I like the texture of night Normaderm: the cream is very light and at the same time the skin becomes velvety without the feeling of a greasy film. (By the way, this cream has one feature - in the morning the face shines with an oily sheen. This is the result of its work - it forces sebum to come out and not accumulate inside overnight. In principle, there are no problems with this - I washed my face in the morning and that’s it. I also like the scrub from Merck
, but there is 50 ml in the merk, and 200 ml in the normaderm, and the price is the same. For its economy, I prefer the latter. Aqualia Thermal light helps when the skin becomes dehydrated, I apply it periodically under Efaclar K or Duo. Very I like its new texture, very gentle and pleasant. My favorite treatment for every day is Efaklar K and Efaklar AI, if everything is bad, I switch to Efaklar Duo (but I still apply Efaklar AI locally on top - it’s more effective, although the consultants do not advise, but this is my personal discovery). In
La Roche-Pose
I love the soothing tonic and moisturizing mask. After the tonic and mask, the skin is very comfortable, it is really moisturized and soothed, there are no other words. Their Toleran line is irreplaceable for me in time of exacerbation of allergies, especially Toleran ultra.
True, the texture is a bit thick for oily skin, but it soothes the skin, relieves itching, and really takes 5-10 minutes, and for that I’m ready to forgive everything. (Previously, I generally applied Atoderm ROzinc, it was for extremely dry skin, but it relieved the itching perfectly.) In Uriage
I love Tolederm water and Isaac sunscreen.
It is very light for a sunscreen, unlike the insanely thick Aven emulsion, which gave me comedones all over my face. Aven 's
favorite mask is Klinans.
In terms of cleansing, it is not very good, but it evens out the skin texture perfectly, this is visible even after the first application.
Unfortunately, nothing
in Ducre
and
Bioderma , SkinCuticals
has the best moisturizing serum in the world.
The only thing that confuses me is the price. You only need a small drop, about the size of a pea, to apply it all over your face, so it lasts for a long time, about 5 months. And it instantly gives you an incomparable feeling of comfort. In Lierak
- my favorite Clarte cleansing mask.
It perfectly cleanses blackheads from the 1st time (the rest of the masks have to be applied 2 times to perfectly clean the pores). It has a very pleasant texture, a pleasant smell and heats up a little during action. But this makes it even better; you feel a pleasant warmth on your face. This mask also has its own peculiarity - it cannot be left on for more than 15 minutes, otherwise the face will acquire an earthy-green tint, and then nothing can wash it off (it happened that I covered my complexion with foundation). Therefore, my advice is to read the instructions for use before use, not after. I also really like the Hydrochrono line from this brand, but, unfortunately, I became allergic to the emulsion, although I had used it before, and the balm I used in the coldest winters clogged all the pores, and comedones appeared all over my face, even where there never were. I treated my skin for three months after a week of use. Nux
brand likes the Rev de Miel body scrub, and more specifically the fragrance and softness of the skin after using it.
I love the Sanaflor brand very dearly. My favorites are rose and lavender floral waters. I like that the company is natural and does not contain synthetic fragrances. Rose flower water has the delicate aroma of real roses from the garden, and not the synthetic “rose” fragrance like in Nyux. Lavender flower water soothes oily skin, makes it matte, and heals the pores themselves. The effect is noticeable after the first week of use. I can go on and on about my favorite cosmetics for hours, so let’s summarize
.
My advice to people with sensitive skin
1. Try all the products that interest you yourself. Of course, you need to listen to reviews, but only you yourself will understand whether this remedy is right for you or not. 2. Pay attention to the texture of the product. Choose only those products that are created for your skin type and have direct instructions on solving the problem that bothers you. (That is, there is no point in expecting that an anti-rosacea cream for dry skin will cure acne and get rid of blackheads. And a nourishing cream for very dry skin, which stimulates the production of sebum, will relieve dehydration in oily, problematic skin.) 3. Pay attention to what category does this or that brand belong to? If you are a lover of natural cosmetics, choose natural ones. If you often have allergies - hypoallergenic. (In the reviews, I read a girl’s dissatisfaction that the hydraphase mask contains only mineral oils and glycerin. Natural oils or plant extracts are very difficult to find in hypoallergenic cosmetics. Because the same orange essential oil will most likely cause a violent reaction on the skin in an allergic person. For that, all these components can be found at the company Nux, Leyrak and Sanoflor.) Carefully study the packaging, go to the manufacturer’s websites and then there is a high probability that you will be satisfied with your choice. 4. If it happens that it is difficult for you to figure out what is happening to your skin, contact a good, competent specialist, the main thing in this matter is to find him. I wish you all good luck! My endless post has ended Information taken from here vichy avene galenic la roche-posay uriage biodarma merck lierac nuxe SkinCeuticals Sanoflore Filorga

Increase

Cosmeceuticals: what is it?

Cosmeceuticals refer to the combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
These are cosmetics with active ingredients that are known to have health or drug-like properties that are beneficial to the skin to some extent. Dermatological research shows that bioactive ingredients used in cosmeceuticals have benefits beyond traditional cosmetics. Cosmeceutical ingredient formulations are stronger than conventional skin care products. For example, vitamin C is a known antioxidant, and when added to a lotion or cream, it is considered a cosmeceutical. The same goes for products with ingredients like retinol or peptides.

But why active ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol

and
peptides
are important? These are the ingredients that make a difference in your skin. Sun spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation, fine lines... Cosmeceuticals contain higher amounts of active ingredients and can be purchased without a prescription. Active components penetrate deeper into the dermis of the skin. These products travel through the epidermis into the dermis, where your collagen, elastin and new skin cells are located, while regular cosmetics only penetrate the epidermis. You naturally want to increase the synthesis of collagen, elastin and accelerate cell turnover because this makes the skin healthy and youthful. When your collagen and elastin break down, your skin loses its elasticity and appears loose and sagging. It is very difficult to stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin after damage. That's why using effective cosmeceutical skin care products every day can help preserve and protect what you have. Please note that improper or excessive use of cosmeceuticals can lead to skin irritation and problems such as rashes, scarring and premature aging. So use them correctly!

Pharmaceuticals

Approximately 5% of skin care products are considered pharmaceutical.
Most of them are used only by prescription from a dermatologist, or they are used in a cosmetologist's office. Pharmaceutical drugs work with the deep layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The way you take care of your skin is important not only for your appearance and youth, but also for your health. If you decide that pharmaceutical skin care products are best for you, first talk to an esthetician about what will work for your skin type. The doctor will take into account your medical history, allergies and lifestyle. This is very important before starting any procedures or applying the most expensive and effective cream.

What are “pharmacy cosmetics”?

Let's start with an important theory - what exactly cosmetic products are allowed to be sold in pharmacies. According to Art. 55 of the Law “On the Circulation of Medicines” No. 61-FZ, pharmacy organizations or individual entrepreneurs with a license for pharmaceutical activities, in addition to medicines, have the right to purchase and sell:

medical products;
disinfectants;
personal hygiene items and products;
utensils for medical purposes;
spectacle optics and care products for them;
mineral water;
medical, baby and dietary food products;
biologically active additives;
perfumes and cosmetics.

What are “perfumery and cosmetics”? Here you should refer to the documents of the Customs Union, namely, the Technical Regulations TR CU 009/2011. It states that perfumery and cosmetic products (PCP) are a substance or mixtures of substances intended for application directly to the external surface of a person (skin, hair, nails, lips and external genitalia) or to the teeth and mucous membrane of the oral cavity with the sole or main purpose of cleaning them, changing their appearance, giving them a pleasant smell, and/or correcting body odor, and/or protecting them, and/or keeping them in good condition, and/or caring for them. These products are characterized by three characteristics:

method of use of the product - perfumery and cosmetic products are intended exclusively for external application to certain parts of the human body;
place of product application - perfumery and cosmetic products are applied to the skin, hair, nails, lips, teeth, oral mucosa and external genitalia;
purposes of using the products (individually or in any combination) - cleansing and/or changing the appearance of the skin, hair, nails, lips, teeth, oral mucosa and external genitalia without violating their integrity, giving them a pleasant smell and/or correction odor, maintaining them in normal functional condition.

Having reviewed these basic documents, we can conclude that current legislation does not prohibit the sale in pharmacies of any cosmetic or perfume products, even those not related to “medicinal” or “specialized” products. Right down to lipstick, perfume, etc.

Please note that in this technical regulation (TR CU 009/2011) you can find definitions of personal hygiene products. Also, if you are in doubt whether a product fits the range allowed in a pharmacy, you can clarify this in the Technical Regulations CU 022/2011, which is dedicated to food products (dietary supplements, special foods, etc.).

Precautionary measures

If you decide to use any topical cosmeceutical, it is equally important to use proper skin care products (washer, toner, sun protection, night moisturizer) along with these treatments. Sometimes people use cosmeceuticals on their own and their skin becomes very dry and irritated. Additionally, such skin care regimens can sometimes be too harsh on the skin, especially when combined with professional cosmetology. Those who regularly undergo chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments who have previously used a pharmaceutical grade skin care regimen in addition to in-clinic treatments should exercise caution with any creams or toners. An excess of funds, even the best ones, can only do harm.

Types of medical cosmetics

There is a fairly large number of medical cosmetics. Each type serves as a solution to its own, unique problem.

Types available for purchase:

moisturizing;
nutritious;
anti-aging;
medicinal;
for problem skin;
for sensitive and dry skin;
against early aging;
from age spots;
for acne;
for hair.

In addition, all cosmetics are divided into 3 subgroups according to their cost.

Budget cosmetics

The first group is budget funds, which still do not lose in quality and benefits. The purchase of these drugs is possible in any household chemical stores and salons specializing in this, as well as in pharmacies.

Popular and affordable products:

Maybelline;
Rimmel;
Green Mama;
Gillette;
Eveline;
Black Pearl;
Clean line;
Garnier;
La Cree.

Average price level

This is a pharmaceutical cosmetics used for the prevention and treatment of integumentary tissue.

The second type includes:

A-Derma;
Ducray;
Exfoliac;
Merck;
Urtekram;
Bioderma;
Valmont;
Phyto.

Luxury pharmaceutical cosmetics

Cosmetic products that eliminate deficiencies at the cellular level, eradicating not only their symptoms, but also the antigens themselves that awaken their appearance.

This class of products is produced by select brands with high prices:

Vichy;
La Roche-Posay;
Darphin;
Lierac;
SkinCeuticals;
Hauscha.

Dermatological, aesthetic and biocosmetics

There is also a distribution according to such items as dermatology, aesthetics and biocosmetics:

Dermatological products are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and are intended for particularly thin skin.
Products that serve aesthetic purposes are not considered suitable for all skin types, are not allergen-free, but are also non-comedogenic.
All representatives of biocosmetics are suitable for people with particularly delicate skin, but you should not expect hypoallergenicity from them.

Cosmetic products with medicinal properties include representatives of French brands:

Vichy;
La Roche-Posay;
Avene;
Uriage;
Bioderma;
Merck;
Ducray.

Brands representing the aesthetic part of pharmaceutical drugs are:

Filorga;
SkinCeuticals;
Lierac;
Galenic;
Nuxe;
Phyto;
Klorane.

Only Sanoflore (France) produces biocosmetics.

Which products are right for your skin?

Most of us are constantly trying new products in hopes of achieving smoother skin, fewer wrinkles and a radiant glow. If you've never used skin care products before, regular cosmetic products may work for you, but will only work superficially and with minimal results. But we already know that proper skin care improves the results of treatment with stronger products. To be on the safe side, talk to your dermatologist before trying any new products, especially cosmeceuticals. A specialist will recommend skin care treatments and adjust the process so that you achieve safe and more effective results.

How else to attract attention to cosmetics in a pharmacy?

To promote sales of cosmetic products in a pharmacy, it is possible and even necessary to organize various promotions aimed at attracting the attention of visitors to this group of products. The most popular method here is the “double offer” - two products for the price of one. Also, the second product does not necessarily have to come for free. You can formulate an offer that when purchasing one product a person receives a significant discount (from 50% to 75%) on another type of related product.

It is also possible to organize promotions at the pharmacy dedicated to any holiday. For example, March 8 or February 23. During the pre-holiday period, it is recommended to additionally decorate the windows with bright ribbons, highlight them with lighting, and hang a banner indicating “For her” or “For him.” Such simple actions will not only attract the attention of visitors to the pharmacy, but can also have a positive impact on the average check. Don’t forget about promotional materials: posters, leaflets, booklets. They are the ones who conventionally demonstrate the “consequences” of using cosmetics: fluffy hair, smooth, well-groomed skin, and so on. Such images not only attract the attention of visitors, but also simplify navigation in the pharmacy.

In addition, to increase interest in cosmetics, you can use the principle of changing places. For pharmacies with a large number of regular customers, simply rearranging products can create the feeling that they have a completely different, new assortment. Read about other tricks and subtleties of displaying pharmaceutical cosmetics in our previous article on this topic.

In conclusion, we recommend that you do not forget to visit the webinars page on our website. Regularly, the best industry experts and business trainers give our readers interactive lectures on the secrets of selling or promoting certain categories of goods in pharmacies. In addition, during the webinars you can learn a lot of useful information about various types of medications, as well as get answers to any questions related to everyday pharmacy activities.

Comprehensive care

Many manufacturers of pharmaceutical cosmetics for problem skin produce a whole series of products for comprehensive care for the appearance of teenage acne and acne.

Here you can find everything you need - creams and washes, gels and tonics, balms, foam masks and much more.

Dermatologists advise patients to pay attention to the following lines of cosmetics from the manufacturer:

Cleanance Avenue.
Sebium from the French manufacturer BIODERMA.
Ceraknil from DUCRAY.
Efaklar from the French company LA ROCHE POSAY (you can also get Toleriane from this manufacturer).
ANTI ACNE specifically for the fight against acne manufactured by VITASKIN.
Extra Pure by KORFF.
Tolederm Uriage.

All products can be purchased at the pharmacy. But it is better to refuse to buy in a store, especially in a supermarket - there is a high probability of running into a fake.

What means to fight against pimples, acne and acne

You can offer many options, but you need to choose only proven pharmacy cosmetics for problem skin. Such information must be written on the packaging.

“Bark” toner with a prebiotic for oily skin is a relatively inexpensive product that, when used twice daily, fights blackheads, blackheads, pimples and many other imperfections.

Nature manufactured by Valmont (Switzerland) is one of the best cleansers, specially created for oily skin. Enriched with oxygen and other beneficial substances that not only cleanse, but also perfectly nourish the epidermis.

Surgras Liquide Dermatologique Gel from the French company Uriage - gel-like delicate texture, subtle aroma and natural composition are the main advantages of this pharmaceutical beauty product.

Eliminates redness, peeling, inflammation, cleanses and normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Perhaps the best choice for those who struggle with acne.

Cicaplast Baume B5 from French cosmetologists from La Roche Posay is a restorative balm with vitamins that helps cope with all the vagaries of problematic oily skin.

Manufacturers' assortment includes foundations and powders that not only hide skin imperfections. But they also have a healing effect.

Effect on skin

Let's find out how cosmeceuticals have their effective effect on the layers of the skin. Cosmeceuticals contain a high concentration of special active substances of biological origin. It is thanks to these substances that the components of creams and serums are able to deliver nutrition and treatment even to the deep layers of the epidermis. This task cannot be accomplished with a regular cream. Thus, cell regeneration occurs much more actively.

Cosmeceuticals, along with providing a pronounced therapeutic and cosmetic effect, do not lead to redness, skin irritation, or other allergic reactions. All thanks to the careful selection of components and their multi-stage testing.

The peculiarity of cosmeceuticals is that one product usually includes several active components at once, the effect of application is complex. And it is possible to eliminate several skin problems at once. In addition, the beneficial substances in the preparations also enhance each other and complement each other. The components do not enter the bloodstream, are not able to spread throughout the body, and have an exclusively local effect.

Cosmeceutical products contain no dyes or fragrances. Thanks to this fact, the possibility of allergies is completely excluded. Side effects are also unlikely: over several decades of using cosmeceuticals around the world, only a few cases of side effects have been recorded.

It should be noted that cosmeceutical products contain many ingredients of natural origin, mostly of plant origin. Thanks to this composition, the use of products has a very beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. So, cosmeceuticals have the following effects on the epidermis:

minimize and eliminate inflammatory processes;
fight free radicals, which slows down the aging process;
improve blood circulation processes;
Cosmeceuticals also have a positive effect on the metabolic processes of the epidermis.

This is the main effect; in addition, due to the presence of other components, certain products can provide other useful “services” to our skin.

Important : if you use a mesoscooter during procedures, you can enhance the effect of using cosmeceutical drugs several times.

Pharmacy cosmetics, popularity rating: for problem skin, acne, anti-aging. French, Russian, brands